Page 33 of Infernal Hearts

She purses her lips and gives me a remorseful stare. “Then I’m afraid there isn’t much I can do. I’m sorry.”

Today’s been nothing but dead ends, so why should this be any different? “Seriously? Absolutely nothing?”

“I would still be happy to give you a general reading, if you’d like.”

“Why not?” I take a seat, and she takes my hands.

She closes her eyes as she holds her hands inches from my body. “You are not of this world.”

An unsettling feeling passes through my body. “Not exactly.”

“Don’t worry.” She smiles without opening her eyes. “You are still welcome here.”

Jason moves to speak, but I shake my head and stop him. I turn back to Theresa. “So you’re not…” I’m careful with my words. “Afraid of me?”

She chuckles. “No, not at all. I’m not your normal human. I’ve seen some shit, darling.”

Relief washes over me before I shoot Jason a glance. “Thank you.”

She squeezes her eyes tighter. “The one you look for… He’s also not of this world. But he’s not in a form you will recognize. He wears the face of another.”

I bite my lip, my thoughts freezing cold as my body heat rises. “How is that possible?”

“I don’t know. But he’s not as clear as you are. He’s…cloaked by a veil.”

“What kind of veil?” Is it a trick Magnus never taught me?

She shakes her head. “It’s not like another I’ve seen before. But I’m getting something else… There is another presence around you. One you must help but could be your undoing.”

I squish my eyebrows together. “Why the hell would I help someone who would undo me?”

“I’m not getting a clear answer. All I’m getting is the picture of a purple crystal on a leather cord. Does that sound familiar?”

It’s like a bolt of lightning runs through my system. “I lost that the night I got into town. Can you tell me where it is?”

She opens her eyes, mouth downturned and shaking her head. “That’s all I see. The spirits are vague today. But you’re welcome back another time to try again.”

“Well, thank you.” Truthfully, this was probably the best lead I could have hoped for. Even the undoing part. “How much do I owe you?”

“Fifty dollars. Is that fair?”

“Deal.” I reach into my pocket and throw down a hundred. “Take the rest as a tip.”

“For that, some information for your friend, too.” She looks at Jason. “But now that you’re in front of me, things are only more mysterious. What are you?”

Jason’s face morphs—I can’t tell if he’s offended or confused. “Excuse me?”

She walks around me slowly, holding out her hands. She places her palm on his chest and recoils immediately. “This is incredible. I sense magic coming from you…”

Magic? On him? But I wasn’t able to sense it. Is that why my powers won’t work on him?

It’s almost as if she’s muttering to herself and not him. Like he’s a puzzle she’s trying to figure out. “But you’re not like any creature I’ve ever met. You’re not like me, either. You’re something more. So I’ll ask again—what are you?”

Jason’s face turns firm, and his knuckles whiten. “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about, and I definitely don’t have time for this.” He turns back to me. “Are you ready to go?”

“I apologize.” She takes a step back. “Forget I said anything. I could be mistaken. Thank you for coming in today.”

My words come out just as unsure as she was a moment ago, but Jason already walks back to the truck. “Thank you for your help.”

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